[JURIST] The Namibian High Court on Wednesday sentenced 10 defendants to prison terms ranging from 30 to 32 years after they were convicted of high treason for their roles in the 1999 Caprivi uprising [BBC backgrounder]. The 10, who were removed from the courtroom for unruly behavior during the sentencing, were among 129 defendants accused of fostering the independence movement advocated by the Caprivi Liberation Front [GlobalSecurity backgrounder].

Another 119 defendants remain in the treason and sedition trial, which began [JURIST report] in October 2003. Human rights groups have criticized the Namibian government for allegations that authorities have tortured suspects [Amnesty report] with impunity. AP has more.